One hour before my abortion appointment, I was doom-scrolling when I hit a thread on a popular forum. [What does a "Main Character" life actually look like?] The top comment had thousands of upvotes. Anonymous User: Oh, I win this one. I’m the "fake heiress" everyone loves. Not only did I enjoy eighteen years of luxury meant for that idiot "real daughter," but I also took her husband. He was practically begging for me, even though she picked up my leftovers. When she finally came back to the family, I faked a depression spiral. My parents didn't want to "trigger" me, so she’s not even in the family trust. To the public, she’s just a goddaughter. She worked her ass off to become VP, but I just whined "I want that," and her husband—who was the biggest client—made her life hell until she quit. Mom and Dad handed the job to me the next day. The best part? The night before their wedding, I texted him saying I was "lonely." We christened her new marital bed before she ever did. Every word dripped with arrogance. The comments were tearing her apart, but she just doubled down, posting a photo of plane tickets with the names blurred out. Anonymous User: Just because I said I didn't want her ruining her body with a kid, her husband forced her to get an abortion. The funniest part? She’s sitting outside the OR all alone right now. Her parents and her husband are on a flight to Miami with me to help me "decompress." I was born lucky. She can’t compete. I stared at the photo on my screen. It was identical to the one Bella Sterling had just posted on her Instagram story. I looked around the empty hospital corridor. Just me. Turns out, the idiot in the story is me. Chapter 1 Facing the internet’s rage, Bella didn't feel shame. She felt empowered. Anonymous User: Hate all you want. The madder you get, the more it proves how much they love me. I’m Daddy’s little girl, and I’m her husband’s soulmate. She attached another photo. A slender hand, the ring finger adorned with a diamond ring. I knew that design. It was the exact match to the one my husband, Gavin, used to wear every day. Her reply popped up, soaking in the attention: Anonymous User: See this? I told him, "Touching me while wearing another woman’s ring is gross." He threw their cheap wedding bands in the trash. This one? We picked it out together. Custom engraved. In this world, the one who isn't loved is the mistress. I’m the real wife. A chill spread from my chest to my fingertips as I stared at that ring. A memory from three years ago stabbed me. I had noticed Gavin’s wedding band was missing. He frantically turned his pockets inside out, looking devastated. He hugged me, burying his face in my neck. "Elara, I think I lost it on the business trip. I’m such an idiot. Punish me, seriously. I deserve it." I trusted him. God, I trusted him so much. A week later, he was wearing a new, unfamiliar ring. "Where did that come from?" I had asked. He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes. "I tried on a sample at the office and it got stuck. If you hate it, honey, I’ll chop my finger off to remove it. Okay?" My heart softened. "Don't say that... keep it. It actually looks good on you." It wasn't a sample. It was their "couple's ring." My discarded wedding band, and the unformed life in my womb, were just speed bumps on their road to "true love." The comment section was on fire. User123: Someone find the real sister! Run, girl, run! PizzaRat: This is vile. Sending hugs to the real daughter, wherever she is. Tears slid down my face as I signed the consent forms. Gavin didn't deserve a child with me. Walking out of the operating room, the hollow ache in my body was so heavy I had to lean against the wall to walk. My phone buzzed. It was Gavin. "Babe, did you do it?" "We only need Leo. Having another one would just make him jealous. You have to do this for our son." Chapter 2 "Babe? Can you hear me?" Gavin’s voice came through the receiver, hushed and urgent. "I can hear you," I whispered. A sharp cramp twisted in my lower abdomen. I bent over, pressing my arm against my stomach. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the shredding of my heart. "So... is it done?" he asked, the urgency naked in his voice. I bit my lip to stop a sob, tasting iron. "It's done." I heard his sigh of relief loud and clear. He even let out a small chuckle. "Good girl," he said, his voice dropping back into that practiced, coaxing tone he used to manipulate me. "When I get back from the trip, I'll bring you a present." I forced a silent, mocking smile. Misinterpreting my silence as anger over him missing the appointment, he rushed on. "Aww, babe, you worked so hard. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Massage, dinner, whatever you want." His patience lasted less than two seconds. "Look, I gotta hop into a meeting. You're the best. Bye." Click. After that call, Gavin vanished. For three whole days, radio silence. In the past, I would have made excuses for him. He’s so busy. He’s building our future. I would have sent text messages reminding him to eat, playing the role of the devoted wife. Now, it felt like a joke. He wasn't busy. He had just successfully disposed of a "problem" and was busy celebrating with the love of his life. Three days later, I was in the living room helping our son, Leo, build a Lego castle. Gavin breezed through the door, dragging a suitcase. He hugged Leo, handing him a limited-edition set the kid had been begging for. "Leo, buddy, go play in your room. Daddy needs to talk to Mommy." He turned to me, his eyes dark with implied intimacy. Normally, that look would make my heart flutter. Now, I just wanted to vomit. Gavin wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, nuzzling my neck. "Babe, still mad? I know I’m a jerk. I wasn't there when you needed me. I promise, never again." I pulled away, turning to face him. "Gavin, count how many times you’ve promised that this month." His smile faltered. "The 8th. Our anniversary. You said we’d do dinner. One phone call and you vanished for two days." "Last week. I was sick. You said you’d drive me to urgent care. You dumped me on the curb halfway there." "And now the abortion..." Listing them out, I realized how pathetic his lies were. He wasn't a good liar; I had just been blind. A flash of annoyance crossed his face, quickly replaced by a helpless grin. "Babe, don't keep score. I’m working for this family." He pulled a velvet box from his pocket. "Look. An apology gift. Let me put it on you..." I sidestepped him. His hand froze in mid-air. "I just had surgery," I said coldly. "I need to rest. Sleep in the guest room." I walked upstairs, leaving him standing there, stunned. In the bedroom, my phone buzzed. A notification from the forum. Bella had posted a new photo. When I saw what it was, rage made my hands shake so hard I nearly dropped the phone. Chapter 3 The update was a picture of a dog. A Golden Retriever wearing a diamond necklace. Below it was Bella’s caption: Anonymous User: The idiot is throwing a tantrum. Ugh. I generously gave my dog, Buster’s, old collar to her husband to use as a peace offering. I wonder if she cried tears of joy when she got her 'gift'? I stared at the screen. The necklace around the dog’s neck was identical to the one Gavin had just tried to put on me. Eight years of marriage. In his eyes, I was worth less than her dog. The crushing disappointment gave way to a cold, clarifying anger. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, and let the ice settle in my veins. The door creaked open. "Babe, come on, don't be like that. I really know I messed up." Gavin walked in, grinning like a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He held out a pink index card. "Look! A 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. Good for one forgiveness. Please?" I took the card. The edges were yellowed. The date written on it was from ten years ago. We didn't even know each other ten years ago. The little heart drawn at the bottom had Bella’s signature swirl. The last ember of love in my chest turned to ash. "Get out," I said, my voice raspy. "I don't want to see you." He frowned, his patience snapping. "Elara, enough is enough. You keep dragging this out, it’s going to get annoying." He slammed the door and left. I held the card between my fingers. It was cold. My phone rang. It was my mother. "Elara! Grow up," she snapped the moment I picked up. "Gavin marrying you was already a charity case. Why are you acting out? He works so hard, can't you be considerate for once?" "Mom," I interrupted, my voice flat. "I had an abortion." Silence on the other end. Then, a sigh. "It’s not the end of the world. Gavin is doing what’s best for Leo." "I called you ten times," I said. "Gavin was on a 'business trip.' What about you? What were you doing that was so important?" I didn't wait for an answer. I hung up. Texts from mutual friends started flooding in. "Couples fight, it’s normal." "Gavin loves you so much." "Look at his Facebook, he’s so sweet." I opened Gavin’s Facebook. Status update, ten minutes ago: Gavin: Kicked out of the bedroom by the wifey. Guess the gift is keeping me company tonight. Attached was a photo of the necklace. Comments were praising him as a "Wife Guy." He replied to one: Gavin: Anything for her. Tomorrow is the auction. I’m going to bid on that vintage sapphire choker she wants. Maybe that will get me back in the master bedroom... Lies. I hate sapphires. Bella is the one obsessed with vintage jewelry. I took a screenshot of his post. Then I took a screenshot of the dog collar post. I stitched them together side-by-side. Bella’s thread updated again: Anonymous User: The idiot seems actually mad this time. Whatever. I told Mom to organize a family dinner to put her in her place. She’s forgetting who the favorite is. Someone commented: If you hate her so much and your family is rich, why not just kick her out? Bella replied instantly: Anonymous User: Oh, she'll get kicked out eventually. But not yet. She’s still useful. I haven't even used my trump card. Thinking about the look on her face when she finds out the truth... god, it makes me shiver with excitement. "Trump card"? I stared at those words. A strange, intuitive dread crawled up my spine. My phone buzzed again. A text from Mom. Family dinner tonight. Be there. I stared at the screen. "Okay." I was actually very interested in knowing what Bella's "trump card" was. Chapter 4 I picked up Leo from school and drove straight to the Sterling Estate. Pulling into the driveway, I saw a small figure huddled on the front steps. It was Bella’s son, Caleb. He was wearing clothes that were too small and washed out. He was just sitting there, staring at the gravel. Based on the timeline... But Bella was clearly unfit to be a mother. Whatever beef I had with her, the kid was innocent. I walked over, holding Leo’s hand. "Why aren't you inside, Caleb? It’s cold. Auntie brought some cookies, do you want one?" Caleb looked up. His eyes, shaped exactly like Gavin’s, were full of a sadness no seven-year-old should have. He whispered, "Mom said I can't go in... She’ll be mad." I offered him a cookie. Just as he reached for it, Bella burst out the front door and slapped his hand. The cookie crumbled into the dirt. "Did I say you could eat? You begging little rat! Do you need another timeout?" Her voice was a shrill weapon. Caleb flinched, curling into a ball like he expected a blow. "Mommy, I’m scared..." Leo grabbed my leg. Bella’s face flipped instantly. She beamed, crouching down to hug Leo. "Oh, Leo, sweetie! Auntie isn't yelling at you. Auntie bought you the new PS5 game! Come on, let's go play." She scooped Leo up and marched inside, shooting me a smug, victorious look over her shoulder. A thought flashed through my brain. A suspicion. Before I could grasp it, Gavin’s voice boomed behind me. "Babe! I knew you'd come." He sounded cheerful, completely ignoring the tension. He walked up, holding a velvet box. "Look. The sapphire choker. I won the bid! Do you love it?" I looked at him dead in the eyes. "No. I’ve never liked sapphires." I ignored his shock and gently took Caleb’s freezing hand. "Come inside with Auntie." Inside the living room, Bella called out to Gavin. "Gavin! Come help! Leo is too strong for me!" She was hiding behind Gavin, giggling, while Leo chased them with a foam dart gun. Gavin was laughing, protecting her, his expensive shirt getting wrinkled. They looked like a perfect, happy family. I sat on the sofa, watching Caleb. He was picking at his cuticles, stealing glances at the happy trio with eyes full of hunger and envy. The suspicion that had flashed earlier returned, this time as a screaming siren in my head. Panic seized my chest for a second. I pulled out my phone and switched to the burner account I had created. I opened a DM with Bella’s anonymous account. Burner: Hey girl. Saw your post. We are living the same life. But I was smarter than you. I switched the babies at birth. Burner: Let her be the "real heiress." Who cares? In the end, the inheritance, the husband... it all goes to my biological son, who she’s raising. Burner: Just a tip: You gotta give the husband some sugar occasionally. My "simp" was getting restless. Also... make sure the kid knows who his real mom is. Send. Across the room, Bella’s phone lit up on the coffee table. She glanced at it. Her smug smile faltered, then her lips pressed into a thin white line. A moment later, my burner account got a reply. I read it, and my vision went black for a second. The rage was almost blinding.
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